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- 1. Too scared to drive MARTHA PERKINS E D I T O R I t’s not a noise bylaw that’s making for quieter nights on Bowen Island. It’s fears over the ramifications of new drinking and driving penalties. “We’re probably down 40 per cent because of the new law,” says Scott Witty, owner of the Pub. As people stopped going out for drinks or dinner because they were worried about being stopped by police on the way home, he reacted by closing on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. “It happened so fast. I had to act as fast as I could and salvage something.” The Bowen Island Legion responded to the Pub’s deci- sion to close three days by add- ing Sundays and Mondays to its open hours but sales are still lower, says Branch 150 president Tim Hausch. He notices that the Legion has become more of a neighbourhood bar - a place peo- ple can walk to and, more impor- tantly, walk home from. At Tuscany restaurant, there has been a decrease in alcohol sales. “At 0.05 people don’t know where they stand so they’re petri- fied to have even one drink,” says owner Julie Cree. New drinking and driving penalties are scaring away bar patrons MODERN HOME FURNISHINGS 740 Marine Drive, North Vancouver 604-904-3939 modernhomefurnishings.ca Vancouver 604-739-3962 • New Westminster 604-522-3932 • Surrey 604-501-0144 Welcome Home Quality First • Superb Selection • Your Style REAL WOOD ~ ALDER & PINE! Bedroom Sets from $1199 • Youth Bedroom Sets from $999 Office Furniture - Desk from $299 • Bookcases from $179 Entertainment Centres from $229 • Storage Solutions from $199 ~ Your choice of 14 different stains ~ Otters kill egg business Shady Acres will no longer be able to supply island with farm fresh eggs Yoga Studio changes hands The Gym buys yoga studio and turns it into a co-op for all enthusiasts Golfer’s honour code To help save money in the winter, golf course introducing honour box system FRIDAY OCT. 29 2010 V O L . 3 8 , N O . 3 8 Watch for more online at: WWW.BOWENISLANDUNDERCURRENT.COM 75¢ including HST continued, PAGE 10 Minister still says no to CRC purchase MARTHA PERKINS E D I T O R I t’s still not the federal govern- ment’s plan to buy any Cape Roger Curtis lands for the creation of a possible national park on Bowen Island, the min- ister of the environment told the Undercurrent last Friday. “The intent is not to acquire private lands,” Jim Prentice said following a press conference in Stanley Park to announce a $10 million commitment, through Parks Canada, to complete the Trans Canada Trail by Canada’s 150th birthday. Prentice noted that just a day earlier he’d been in Newfoundland, where Parks Canada is considering the cre- ation of a national park on Sable Island. On the other side of the country is Bowen Island, where a feasibility study is underway to determine if the public lands fit the criteria for a national park. “It’s a marvellous site,” he said of Bowen Island. However, Prentice noted that as part of the study, Parks Canada was measuring the will of islanders to have a park here. “We prefer to discuss the issues in advance and ensure there is consensus,” he said in a brief interview. Alan Latourelle, the chief exec- utive officer of Parks Canada, was also at Stanley Park on October 22 (along with outgoing Trans Canada Trail chair Valerie Pringle and three-time Olympian Simon Whitfield.) A VISIT TO THE PUMPKIN PATCH – Excitement over Hallowe’en is building at the Bowen Island Children’s Centre. On Tuesday, the pre-schoolers went on a search for pumpkins. Logan McCormick quickly found hers and carried it to a wagon; others had fun rolling the pumpkins down the hill. Back at the centre, they carved the pumpkins into Jack O’ Lanterns. Martha Perkins photo continued, PAGE 2